Minutes
Rembert C. Dennis Building, Room 335
Columbia, SC
Friday, March 28, 2003
9:30 a.m.
The regular meeting of the Board of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources was held at 9:30 am, on Friday, March 28, 2003, at the Rembert C. Dennis Building, Columbia, South Carolina. Notice of the date, time and place of the meeting was posted and mailed to the news media. Chairman Dr. Joab M. Lesesne presided at the meeting. Board members present included Dr. Julius Leary, Danny Ford, Ben Gregg, M. Russell Holliday, Jr., Malloy McEachin, and Dr. Douglas Rucker. Dr. Paul A. Sandifer and staff members of the Department of Natural Resources were present at the meeting, as were various guests.
Chairman Lesesne called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m. and welcomed everyone to the meeting.
Chairman Lesesne asked for a moment of silent meditation.
Cary Chamblee introduced Joey Holleman, The State newspaper.
V. Presentations/Commendations
At this time, Dr. Sandifer expressed to the Board Members that it has been a privilege, pleasure and honor to work for them.
Dr. Sandifer stated that the Deputy Directors and Cary Chamblee are the true backbone of the senior management team.
Dr. Sandifer also thanked Jean Cowell, Ed Ducan, Buford Mabry, Angie Williams, Derrick Meggie and John Frampton for their exceptional service to the agency during his tenure as Director.
Dr. Sandifer then thanked Rose Marie Scheibler for her faithful and loyal service while he served as Director.
VI.Advisory Committee Reports
Saltwater Recreational Fisheries
Dr. Miglarese informed the Board that the Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Advisory Committee met on March 6. The purpose of the meeting was to change the way saltwater license fees are budgeted and allocated, to assist with budget cuts of the agency. Dr. Miglarese and staff presented the Advisory Committee a recommendation to spend revenues within the year that it is received. This would allow for the expenditure of a larger sum of money during this year. The Advisory Committee concurred with the recommendation of staff. This is intended as a temporary fix for the current financial crisis with the understanding that the Committee feels strongly that the state funds should be reinstated as state funding improves.
Mr. Ed Holder, Vice Chairman of the Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Advisory Committee, spoke in favor of the recommendation of staff, on behalf of the Advisory Committee.
Post Season Duck Hunting Report
Billy McTeer briefly reviewed the post season duck hunting report as submitted to the Board with their package.
VIII. Advisory Committee Reports
Law Enforcement
Dr. Leary reported that the Law Enforcement Advisory Committee met in Columbia on March 19. Dr. Leary stated that a significant portion of the meeting was spent on the request from the Board to review the request that DLEO experience count toward related experience in applying for a position with the Law Enforcement Division. Dr. Leary noted that to apply for a Law Enforcement position, either a bachelor’s degree or a GED and four years related law enforcement experience are required. The Law Enforcement Advisory Committee considered this issue in depth. Dr. Leary stated that the conclusion of this committee and his motion is that DLEO experience should be counted as related experience since other law enforcement related experience is counted, but it should not be year for year, since DLEO’s are not working full time but are working part time. Dr. Leary reported that the advisory committee also feels that a candidate should have at least a two year associate degree or two years of college. Dr. Leary made a motion that the following two changes be made to the required minimum education and/or experience for applicants for SCDNR Law Enforcement Officer positions 1) an applicant for a law enforcement position must have at least an associate degree or two years college equating to 60 semester credit hours, and 2) that 2 years in DLEO service will count as a 1 year for related experience. Mrs. Holliday seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
IX. Items for Board Action
A. DNR Board Policy on Intellectual Property
John Miglarese gave a brief background regarding the need for a policy of this type. Dr. Miglarese stated that scientific staff of the Marine Resources Division are working in collaboration with other universities as well as other federal agencies in the development of some key disease immunity work regarding marine fishes and shrimp. Dr. Miglarese reported that there is now a private company that would like to partner with the Medical University and the Marine Resources Research Institute staff in the development of a project dealing with shrimp disease immunity. Dr. Miglarese noted that under federal rules there are requirements that participants have in place an intellectual property agreement. Dr. Miglarese informed the Board that he is asking them to give their approval for the development of this type of policy. Mr. Gregg made a motion that the Board give conceptual approval for the development of the intellectual property policy and have staff develop specific language within 60 days. This policy would be Department wide. Mrs. Holliday seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
B. Dargan’s Pond Regulation Amendment
Mac Watson reviewed the proposed amendment to reopen the lake for fishing on April 1. Mr. McEachin made a motion that the Board approve the amendment as presented. Mrs. Holliday seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
C. Florence Office Site Location
Mr. McTeer reviewed the potential sites for a regional office. Mr. McTeer stated that the site preferred by staff and Clemson is at Dargan’s Pond. Mr. McTeer also informed the Board that staff have kept Mr. McEachin involved in this and asked if he had any comments. Mr. McEachin agreed that there is a need to move the current office and he agreed that Dargan’s Pond is the best site. Mr. McEachin made a motion that the Board select the Dargan’s Pond site for the new office complex. Mrs. Holliday seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
X.Executive Session
At this time Dr. Leary made a motion that the Board hold an Executive Session to discuss contractual, legal and personnel matters.
XI. Return to Regular Session
Dr. Leary made a motion to approve of a lease of the Laurel Valley Lodge to Parkette Food Services with the stipulation that the lease be for a duration of one year to be renewed annually and with a 60-day escape clause. Mrs. Holliday seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
Dr. Leary made a motion that the Board approve a lease agreement to PRT for the Bald Rock Heritage Trust property. Mrs. Holliday seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
John Frampton distributed copies of a letter to Ducks Unlimited (copy attached to original minutes) to the Board and explained that the Migratory Waterfowl Committee was originally a separate agency but through restructuring it became part of DNR. Mr. Frampton noted that historically since DNR was involved in the Duck Stamp Program, which began in 1981, and also a provision in the law that a small portion of the non resident license sales goes to Canada waterfowl projects, money has been transferred on an annual basis through Ducks Unlimited to Canada for projects. In 1985 a policy was developed requiring projects to be approved by the Board prior to funding and that dollars be earmarked for specific activities in Canada. Mr. Frampton reported that the Migratory Waterfowl Committee has approved the transfer of funds for the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Ontario Region Landscape Initiative and recommends it to the Board. Mrs. Holliday made a motion that the Board approve the recommendation as presented. Dr. Rucker seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
XI.Executive Session
At this time Dr. Leary made a motion that the Board hold an Executive Session to discuss contractual, legal and personnel matters.
XIV.Return to Regular Session
The Board returned to regular session and invited staff and guests to join the meeting.
Dr. Leary made a motion that the Board name John Frampton as Director of DNR to serve as Acting Director from April 1, 2003 until such time as compensation is approved through the Agency Head Salary Commission and the Budget and Control Board. Mrs. Holliday seconded the motion and the motion carried with Ms. Holliday, Mr. Gregg, Mr. Ford, Dr. Rucker and Dr. Leary voting in favor and Mr. McEachin voting against the motion.
XVIII. Time and Location of the Next Meeting
Chairman Lesesne stated that the next meeting of the DNR Board will be held on Friday, April 25, 2003, at the Rembert C. Dennis Building in Columbia, beginning at 9:30 a.m.
XIX.Adjournment
There being no further business to be brought before the DNR Board at this time, the meeting was adjourned.